GhanaVillage.Com - Ghana Online Forum - Sports - Football http://www.ghanavillage.com/ en Sat, 19 May 2012 19:29:05 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.ghanavillage.com/images/misc/rss.png GhanaVillage.Com - Ghana Online Forum - Sports - Football http://www.ghanavillage.com/ Ghanaian Soccer Star Chris Dickson Makes The Headlines http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16284-Ghanaian-Soccer-Star-Chris-Dickson-Makes-The-Headlines?goto=newpost Fri, 18 May 2012 12:44:38 GMT Attachment 677 (http://www.ghanavillage.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=677) ONE of the latest Ghanaian soccer sensations making all the headlines... 719529206_295903.jpg
ONE of the latest Ghanaian soccer sensations making all the headlines around Europe is the young and gifted striker Chris Dickson who currently plies his trade in the Cypriot First Division League.

The English-born Ghanaian has been on the stoplight after a string of magnificent performances from him to help his team AEL Limassol won the Cyprus league for the first time ever in their 44 year history.

Chris Dickson has been on the spotlight after his clubs qualification into next year’s season of the European Champions League with connoisseurs of the world game tipping him as one of the talents to watch out for in Europe’s most glamorous soccer competition.

Teams from Cyprus have done tremendously well anytime they get into the European Champions League with APOEL serving as the latest example. They proceeded into the quarter finals where they lost to Real Madrid.

Dickson who joined the Cypriot league in January in one of the clubs major signing has been very influential in the clubs successes this year and hopes to replicate it in the Cup Finals and the Champions League next season.

Born Christopher Alexander Dickson, the former Charlton Athletic forward and 27 year old proud Ghanaian is eying a position in the Black Stars African Cup campaign and the World Cup Qualifiers more especially with the retirement of Asamoah Gyan from International foortball.

If Chris Dickson earns a call up from head coach Kwesi Appiah, it will mark the return of the skillful and pacey striker to the national side after his debut for the Black Stars in August 2008.



Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
Attached Images
]]> Sports - Football ajbabe http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16284-Ghanaian-Soccer-Star-Chris-Dickson-Makes-The-Headlines Black Stars Squad Named For World Cup Qualifiers http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16265-Black-Stars-Squad-Named-For-World-Cup-Qualifiers?goto=newpost Thu, 17 May 2012 04:02:56 GMT Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has named his 30-man squad for next month's 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zambia.

Europe-based youngsters Ishmael Yartey and Christian Atsu were among the six players who were handed their maiden Black Stars call-ups.

Nine home-based players were also named in the squad with Berekum Chelsea trio of Ernest Sowah, Emmanuel Clottey and Richard Kissi Boateng included.

The team will start a non-residential camp in Accra on 21 May, 2012.

The squad will be pruned before the team departs to Kumasi on 27th May ahead of the match against Lesotho on 1st June, 2012.

Ghana face Lesotho in Kumasi for Appiah's first game before they play Zambia on June 9 in Ndorla.

Ghana Squad

Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey (Stromsgodset, Norway), Robert Dabuo (Wa All Stars), Daniel Adjei (Liberty Professionals), Ernest Sowah (Berekum Chelsea)

Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Dnipro, Ukraine), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege, Belgium), Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia), Richard Kissi Boateng (Berekum Cheslea), Masawudu Alhassan (Genoa, Italy), John Boye (Rennes, France), Lee Addy (Dalian Aerbin, China), Daniel Addo (Zorya Luhansk, Ukraine) Rashid Sumaila (Dwarfs), Jerry Akaminko (Manisaspor, Turkey), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim, Germany)

Midfielders: Anthony Annan (Vitesse Arnhem, Netherlands), Derek Boateng (Dnipro, Ukraine), Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese ,Italy), Rabiu Mohammed (Evian, France) Richard Mpong (Medema) Albert Adomah (Bristol City, England), Christian Atsu (Rio Ave, Portugal), Ishamel Yartey, (Servette, Switzerland), Sulley Muntari (AC Milan, Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy).

Forwards: Jordan Ayew (Marseille, France), Dominic Adiyiah (Arsenal Kyiv, Ukraine), Ben Acheampong (Kotoko), Emmanuel Baffour (New Edubiase), Emmanuel Clottey (Berekum Chelsea).

ghanafa.org ]]> Sports - Football http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16265-Black-Stars-Squad-Named-For-World-Cup-Qualifiers Goal Line Technology To Be Tested In Matches Across Europe This Weekend http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16264-Goal-Line-Technology-To-Be-Tested-In-Matches-Across-Europe-This-Weekend?goto=newpost Thu, 17 May 2012 03:59:05 GMT Goal-line technology will be tested in three separate matches across Europe this week as FIFA try to eliminate incorrect goal decisions. FIFA have... Goal-line technology will be tested in three separate matches across Europe this week as FIFA try to eliminate incorrect goal decisions.

FIFA have given permission for two different systems to be tested so that the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which oversees the rules of football, can make a decision on goal-line technology at a meeting on July 2.

In England an amateur cup final will try out the Hawkeye system on Wednesday, while in the Danish Superliga, the GoalRef system will be tested when Silkeborg host Sonderjyske on Sunday and in the match between Nordsjaelland and Horsens on May 23.

The Hawkeye system, which has gained international recognition through its use in tennis and cricket, uses a series of cameras to determine the path of the ball and whether it crossed the goal-line.

GoalRef, which has been developed in Germany and Denmark, involves a chip being inserted in the ball, which can be picked up by sensors in the goal posts.

If the ball crosses the goal-line, the referee is alerted immediately.

The referees will not actually use the technology in the three matches.

Instead the systems will be observed by officials who will report back to IFAB.
... ]]> Sports - Football http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16264-Goal-Line-Technology-To-Be-Tested-In-Matches-Across-Europe-This-Weekend Goal Line Technology Demonstrated In Front of FIFA Officials http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16150-Goal-Line-Technology-Demonstrated-In-Front-of-FIFA-Officials?goto=newpost Fri, 11 May 2012 07:07:23 GMT Image: http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48198000/gif/_48198545_football_technology466x250.gif Hawk-Eye goal-line technology has been...
Hawk-Eye goal-line technology has been demonstrated in front of FIFA officials at Southampton's St Mary's stadium.

The technology uses multiple camera angles which in turn sends a signal direct to the referee in under a second telling him whether the ball crossed the line or not.

Hawk-Eye's managing director Steve Carter is hopeful that his company's product will be the one chosen if FIFA decide to introduce the technology to football matches.

He told Sky Sports: "Every stadium is different. Anything from three weeks to a couple of months. It's all stadium-specific.

"We aren't thinking that far ahead at the moment. Anything is possible.

"I suppose a good sporting analogy would be that we are in the semi-finals of the competition at the moment and we just want to concentrate on winning our semi."

Hawk-Eye is on competition with Danish-based GoalRef, with a preferred product to be revealed by FIFA on July 2.

The Football Association's head of senior referee development, Neale Barry, insists that the technology could be implemented as early as next season.

He said: "If it's licenced there is no reason - assuming the Football Association decide to implement it - that they can't install it in time for the next domestic season."

Hawk-Eye will be available in the Hampshire FA senior final, where they are based, for research purposes only but Carter wants things to be run at his own pace.

He added: "If I felt things were being rushed for a specific league, I would be actually urging people to slow down and make sure the technology is right."
... ]]> Sports - Football http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16150-Goal-Line-Technology-Demonstrated-In-Front-of-FIFA-Officials Younes Belhanda wins French Ligue 1 African Player of the Year Award http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16141-Younes-Belhanda-wins-French-Ligue-1-African-Player-of-the-Year-Award?goto=newpost Thu, 10 May 2012 19:29:49 GMT Image: http://sport-maroc.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/belhanda-entre-om-et-ol.jpg Moroccan international playmaker Younes Belhanda was named...

Moroccan international playmaker Younes Belhanda was named African player of Ligue 1 on Thursday it was announced by Radio France International (RFI) and France 24 after a vote by journalists.

The 22-year-old - who succeeds Ivorian Gervinho for his performances when Lille won the title last season - has been outstanding this season for Montpellier, who are on the verge of landing their first ever title.

Belhanda edged out Marseille's Cameroon defender Nicolas Nkoulou and Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who plays for St-Etienne and was the joint top scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The award is known as the Marc-Vivien Foe prize in memory of the Cameroon international who died during a Confederations Cup match in Lyon in June 2003.

Result:

1. Younes Belhanda (Montpellier/MAR), 2. Nicolas Nkoulou (Marseille/CMR), 3. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (St-Etienne/GAB), 4.Henri Bedimo (Montpellier/CMR), 5. Aymen Abdennour (Toulouse/TUN)

Previous winners:

2011: Gervinho (CIV)

2010: Gervinho (CIV)

AFP ]]> Sports - Football http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16141-Younes-Belhanda-wins-French-Ligue-1-African-Player-of-the-Year-Award <![CDATA[Asamoah Gyan "I have no problem with Sunderland"]]> http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16140-Asamoah-Gyan-quot-I-have-no-problem-with-Sunderland-quot?goto=newpost Thu, 10 May 2012 17:36:27 GMT Image: http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/Image/SaxoPress/AD2012050994362-Dubai,_United_A.jpg Asamoah Gyan, the Al Ain...
Asamoah Gyan, the Al Ain striker, last night expanded on remarks he made on Tuesday regarding his former club Sunderland and their fans.
The Ghanaian joined the Pro League side on loan from the English Premier League team last summer, and Al Ain took up the option to buy out his contract last month.

In a media conference on Tuesday, Gyan had said he had no interest in returning to Sunderland and had not heard from Martin O'Neill, the manager.

However, speaking to The National last night, Gyan wanted to clarify his position.

"My agent called me about the interview. They said I didn't want to go back to Sunderland and I don't like it there.

"The team was good for me. I love the fans and I love the club. They bought me for £13 million (Dh77m) and they did a lot for my career. When I left there the fans were very good to me. I didn't have any negative feelings towards anybody. In football you need to move sometimes."

When asked if he would like to return to Sunderland, Gyan replied: "For now I am at Al Ain. I'm still here and happy to be here. But I would be happy to play anywhere I go."

The Pro League's leading scorer explained that his agent had seen a story online, saying he did not like it in Sunderland and did not wish to return. However, yesterday Gyan said: "I didn't really say that. I left Sunderland in peace. I had no problem with anybody.

"When Al Ain made an offer, they accepted it and I had to move. I had no choice but to move.

"I had no trouble with anybody at Sunderland but that is life in football."

He is now at a club where the fans have long had a reputation as the most numerous and passionate in the Pro League, but this is the first season in the professional era in which Al Ain will lead the top flight in attendance, and Cosmin Olaroiu has noticed.

"Player No 12 for us has been the fans," Al Ain's coach said last night. "I am happy to see more fans than last year, and seeing them makes me just as happy as winning the championship."

While viewing videotape from the 2010/11 season, when Al Ain were 10th in the 12-team table, the Romanian noticed empty swathes in the Tahnoon bin Mohammed Stadium seating.

All teams have played 10 home games in the league, and Al Ain lead in attendance with an average home crowd of 7,407, but only moved ahead of Al Jazira in Round 19, when they drew a crowd of 15,922 for a game against the Abu Dhabi club. Jazira are second at 6,951 per home match. Jazira, however, led the league in attendance the previous three seasons, and in 2009/10 Al Ain were third, also behind Al Wahda.

During the difficult season last year, Al Ain's home attendance eroded to 4,950.

Al Ain play Al Shabab tomorrow and Olaroiu lamented that each side will have a key player to suspended, Ciel for Al Shabab and Mirel Radoi for Al Ain.

"It would be better for the fans if they played because both of them are very good players," he said.

"We want to keep our perfect record of winning all our home games, but it will be a tough match because Al Shabab are a good team and very well balanced because [Paulo] Bonamigo has been the coach there for quite some time."

Bonamigo is completing his third season with the Dubai side, and recently signed a two-year contract extension.

poberjuerge@thenational.ae ]]> Sports - Football http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16140-Asamoah-Gyan-quot-I-have-no-problem-with-Sunderland-quot Inter Fined For Muntari Abuse http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16136-Inter-Fined-For-Muntari-Abuse?goto=newpost Thu, 10 May 2012 14:51:38 GMT Image: http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/60074000/jpg/_60074242_muntarimilanvinter2012.jpg Inter Milan have been fined 20 thousand euros after...
Inter Milan have been fined 20 thousand euros after their fans rained abuse on Ghana star Sulley Muntari throughout the Milan derby on Sunday.

Muntari is on loan at AC Milan from Inter and attracted constant jeers from the crowd in the San Siro.

Italian authorities decided some of the abuse was racially motivated but Milan were also fined - 10 thousand euros - for the behaviour of their fans.

Inter won the game 4-2 - a result which handed the title to Juventus.

The always-fiery contest included no fewer than three penalties, a hat-trick for Diego Milito and two goals for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and was played out in a frenzied atmosphere.

Fans of both teams displayed offensive banners and abused their rivals.

Muntari attracted particular attention from Inter fans because of his previous history at the club. ]]> Sports - Football http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16136-Inter-Fined-For-Muntari-Abuse Mali international Bakaye Traore signs for AC Milan http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16135-Mali-international-Bakaye-Traore-signs-for-AC-Milan?goto=newpost Wed, 09 May 2012 21:25:46 GMT Image: http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/60128000/jpg/_60128323_bakaye_traore_gtty_a.jpg Mali midfielder Bakaye Traore, 27, has signed for...
Mali midfielder Bakaye Traore, 27, has signed for Italian giants AC Milan, his French club AS Nancy have announced.

The Eagle joins the seven-time European champions on a three-year deal.

Nancy's website stated that Traore agreed a move in April but was only keen for the move to become public once the club assured its Ligue 1 status.

"After what I went through, everything that's happening to me now feels particularly special," Traore told Fifa's website after signing for Milan.

Traore is weeks away from the end of his three-year contract with Nancy, who lie 11th in the 20-team division.

After Monday's round of league matches in France, Nancy are seven points clear of the relegation zone with two rounds of matches left to play.

Traore, who usually plays a defensive midfield role, was part of the Mali squad that finished third at the Africa Cup of Nations in February, as the Eagles registered their highest finish since 1972.

He scored a vital winner in the group stages against Guinea, a result that eased the Malians' path to the knock-out stages of the competition.

Traore becomes the latest Malian to sign for a high-profile European club, following in the footsteps of Seydou Keita (Barcelona), Mahamadou Diarra (ex-Real Madrid) and Frederic Kanoute (Seville).

Born in France, Traore spent his formative years at Amiens before joining fellow French side Nancy in 2009. ]]> Sports - Football http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16135-Mali-international-Bakaye-Traore-signs-for-AC-Milan May 9 Victims Remembered http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16108-May-9-Victims-Remembered?goto=newpost Wed, 09 May 2012 15:04:07 GMT Image: http://www.graphic.com.gh/UserFiles/Image/news_large/Accra_2001_May_9_2012_May_09.jpg Ghana is today remembering the 126 football fans who...
Ghana is today remembering the 126 football fans who perished in the Accra Sports Stadium disaster 11 years ago.

The May 9 stadium disaster is Africa’s worst soccer tragedy.

The lives were lost as a result of a stampede which occurred during a league match between rivals Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko in 2001.

The National Chief Imam Sheikh Dr Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu and officials of the clubs will converge in Nima-a community which recorded many casualties-where a prayer session will be held for the departed souls.

Officials and fans will then proceed to the venue to pay their last respect to the fans.
Kotoko fans threw plastic seats and bottles onto the pitch after Hearts struck late to beat them 2-1 in a Ghana Premier League game.

Police fired into the crowd which caused panic and resulted in a stampede.

The national Under-20 and 17 male teams will play a friendly match as part of events to commemorate this year’s event. ]]> Sports - Football http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16108-May-9-Victims-Remembered Ghana Hold on To 22nd Ranking FIFA/COCA COLA World Ranking http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16107-Ghana-Hold-on-To-22nd-Ranking-FIFA-COCA-COLA-World-Ranking?goto=newpost Wed, 09 May 2012 15:01:14 GMT Ghana's position on the FIFA ranking table remained unchanged from the previous month.

The Black Stars are still placed 22nd on the overall table released today as the May edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking showed only a few changes.

Ghana's point accumulation also remained the same at 816 points.

The Black Stars, who begin their qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in June are still Africa’s second best side behind Ivory Coast.

Algeria remain third with Mali taking the fourth position on the continental ranking table.

Spain continue to top the global ladder ahead of Germany and Uruguay, followed by the Netherlands and Portugal.

Though the May edition recorded few changes, FIFA expects next month's ranking to bring more movement with it, as friendlies will be played in Europe to warm up for UEFA EURO 2012 and another batch of 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualifiers are set to influence the calculations. ]]> Sports - Football http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16107-Ghana-Hold-on-To-22nd-Ranking-FIFA-COCA-COLA-World-Ranking Drenthe Accuses Messi of Racial Abuse http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16106-Drenthe-Accuses-Messi-of-Racial-Abuse?goto=newpost Wed, 09 May 2012 14:51:54 GMT Image: http://www.soccerway.com/photo_dynamic/orig/250/relative/12427381670.jpg Everton winger Royston Drenthe has hit out at Lionel Messi,...

Everton winger Royston Drenthe has hit out at Lionel Messi, claiming that the Barcelona ace called him 'negro' on more than one occasion.

The Dutchman locked horns with the Argentina international a number of times during his spells at Real Madrid and Hercules, and admitted that he would always have problems with Messi in off-the-ball incidents.

"We played against each other a lot, and we always had problems. You know what really bothers me? That tone with which he always called me 'negro, negro'," Drenthe said in an interview with Dutch magazine Helden.

Drenthe went on to explain that although he realises the use of the term is quite common in South America, he finds it hard to deal with, and explained that his former team-mate Mahamadou Diarra had similar problems.

"I understand that it is very common in South America, but we cannot stand it. Mahamadou Diarra, my team-mate at Real, would become furious when Gabriel Heinze and Gonzalo Higuain initially called him 'negro'. But they soon stopped," Drenthe said.

"When I played against Barcelona with Hercules, I had the same problems with Messi again. Before the match, he gave me a hand and said, 'Hola negro'. He didn't shake my hand again after the match. I don't think he'll invite me to his birthday party."

The 25-year-old Drenthe is currently on loan at Everton, but the Premier League side are unlikely to make his stay at the club permanent.
... ]]> Sports - Football http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16106-Drenthe-Accuses-Messi-of-Racial-Abuse Former Senegalese International, Jules Francois Bocande Dead http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16104-Former-Senegalese-International-Jules-Francois-Bocande-Dead?goto=newpost Tue, 08 May 2012 00:41:34 GMT Image: http://www.galsentv.com/fr/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/artoff85309.jpg Former Senegal international striker Jules-Francois Bocande died on...
Former Senegal international striker Jules-Francois Bocande died on Monday at the age of 54, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) announced.

Bocande had been unwell for several months after suffering a stroke and died following a surgical procedure, according to the Senegalese Press Agency (APS).

He enjoyed his greatest success as a player with Metz, where he was crowned top scorer after netting 25 goals in France's Ligue 1 championship in the 1985-86 season.

Bocande also played for Paris Saint-Germain, Nice and Lens in France and participated in three CAF Africa Cups of Nations with his country, whom he captained and then went on to coach during the 1990s.

"I'm totally devastated," said FSF president Augustin Senghor.

"It's an enormous loss for Senegalese football. We knew that he was suffering. Bocande revived Senegalese football. He gave everything to Senegalese football through his talent and his commitment." ]]> Sports - Football http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16104-Former-Senegalese-International-Jules-Francois-Bocande-Dead National Players Award Nominees Announced http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16102-National-Players-Award-Nominees-Announced?goto=newpost Mon, 07 May 2012 23:47:00 GMT The maiden edition of the National Players Awards intended to honour active national players and past national football heroes has been unveiled with... The maiden edition of the National Players Awards intended to honour active national players and past national football heroes has been unveiled with the release of nomination list for the June 22 scheduled event.

Black Stars Andre Dede Ayew, Asamoah Gyan as well as Richard Kingson, Stephen Appiah and Anthony Annan headline the list of players nominated to vie for honours for the senior national team.

Announcing the nominees at the launch at the Lizy Sports Complex in Accra last Saturday, Kurt Okraku, the CEO of Proton Sport Service Limited and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Awards explained that the list worked on by a seven-member panel of judges, would recognise active players who were on national duty for the 2010-2011 year while special awards will also be given the history-making Black Stars of 1963 and 1965 as well as the 1998-1999 Black Queens squad.

For each of the national teams, there are awards for the top scorer, Most Dedicated Player and the Most Outstanding Player for which the nominees will vie for.

Dr K.K Sarpong, the Chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko who chaired the event expressed the hope that the organisers will work hard to sustain the event which no doubt was a laudable idea.

He also called for objectivity and fairness in the selection of the winners as any controversy over the winners could negatively affect the awards.

Kwesi Nyatankyi, the president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) pledged the FA’s support for the event as he believed the award would be a big boost especially to the active players to give of their best.

Lepowura Alhaji M.N.D Jawula, a former Chairman of the GFA who was the special guest at the event, commended the organisers for coming up with such a laudable idea and expressed the hope that the retired players could now look forward to more recognition while the active players could also give off their best knowing their efforts would be acknowledged.

The event brought together an array of stakeholders - retired players, some active players, coaches and as well as football adminstrators.

graphic.com ]]> Sports - Football http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16102-National-Players-Award-Nominees-Announced Messi breaks record for most goals scored in a European league season http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16066-Messi-breaks-record-for-most-goals-scored-in-a-European-league-season?goto=newpost Sat, 05 May 2012 21:25:48 GMT Image: http://u.goal.com/184100/184166hp2.jpg Lionel Messi has now scored the most goals in a single European season after netting the second...

Lionel Messi has now scored the most goals in a single European season after netting the second goal in Barcelona's 4-0 victory over Espanyol on Saturday.

The prolific No.10 broke Dudu Georgescu's of 47 goals for Dinamo Bucharest in the 1976-77 campaign when he doubled his and the Blaugrana's tally during the Catalan derby at Camp Nou.

Messi is now on 50 for the season, having followed up his pair of strikes with a further two more and securing his eighth hat-trick of the campaign in the process.

The record is just one of several in what has been a memorable season for the Argentine, beginning with his five goals against Leverkusen in the Champions League to earn him the distinction of being the competition's first player to score five in a single match.

Messi also became Barca's all-time top goalscorer and the highest scorer in one Spanish season, while in the past week, his treble against Malaga meant he broke Gerd Muller's long-standing 67-goal haul in one campaign. ]]> Sports - Football syc http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16066-Messi-breaks-record-for-most-goals-scored-in-a-European-league-season Nigerian Legend Rashi Yekini dead ! http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16028-Nigerian-Legend-Rashi-Yekini-dead-!?goto=newpost Sat, 05 May 2012 03:22:27 GMT Image: http://dailytimes.com.ng/sites/default/files/imagecache/400xY/99638hp2.jpg Two-time African footballer of the year, Rashidi Yekini is...

Two-time African footballer of the year, Rashidi Yekini is dead.

Yekini was born in Kaduna in 1963. After starting his professional career in the Nigerian league, he moved to the Ivory Coast to play for Africa Sports. From there he went to Portugal and Vitoria de Setubal, where he experienced his most memorable years, eventually becoming the Portuguese first division's top scorer, in the 1993–94 season with 34 goals in 32 matches.

His performances in the Nigerian shirt that season (our first World Cup participation and most recent Nations Cup win happened then) earned him the title of African Footballer of the Year in 1993, the first ever Nigerian player to win it.

After the 1994 World Cuo, Yekini moved to Olympiakos FC in Greece, but failed to get going, so left. His career never really got back on track, not even upon a return to Setúbal, which happened after another unassuming spell, in La Liga with Sporting de Gijon. He successively played with FC Zürich, Club Atletique Bizertin and Al-Shabab Riyadh, before rejoining Africa Sports.

In 2003, at 39, he returned to the Nigerian league with Julius Berger FC. In 2005, 41-year old Yekini made a short comeback, playing for Gateway FC.

Rashid Yekini, who had been divorced since 1994 lived a solitary life with a few tenants in his house in Ibadan, Oyo State where it is reported that he rarely received visitors.

Yekini was 49 years old. He is survived by two kids. He will be buried tomorrow according to Muslim rites in Irah, Kwara State.

daily times ng ]]> Sports - Football http://www.ghanavillage.com/showthread.php/16028-Nigerian-Legend-Rashi-Yekini-dead-!